Four everyday activities you didn't know were bad for you

 

Friday 02 August 2013 18:02 BST
Comments
Drinking water from bottles is bad for you. Stop it. Right now.
Drinking water from bottles is bad for you. Stop it. Right now. (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

You're eating your 5 a day, you've long since given up the fags and you even manage to get out for a bit of exercise every once in while. Congratulations. These might seem like achievements, but give the myriad other ways you're unwittingly damaging your health, really, why bother?

1. Drinking bottled water

You thought staying hydrated was the responsible thing to do? Ha! Repeatedly pursing your lips around a water bottle to drink from it, will give you deep wrinkles, says cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Mitchell Chasin

2. Reading this on a computer

It's got "toxic dust" which will give you "neurological disorders", according to an article in Wired magazine.

3. A nice sit down

Just sitting down for more than 3 hours a day can take two years off your life, according to researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Centre in the United States. And if you're sitting at a wooden table, it's even worse; the formaldehyde used in pressed wood causes cancer.

4. Wearing sun screen

Yes, it's important to stay protected in the sun, but did you know that many brands of sun tan lotion contain potentially damaging chemicals? Example nasties include retinol (cancer) and Oxybenzone (hormone disrupter).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in